Jones: Mourinho's Spirit Is Rubbing Off

Phil Jones believes Jose Mourinho's siege mentality is spreading to the Manchester United players as the Reds showed real fight in Sunday's 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.

The central defender was happy with the way the team scrapped at the Riverside Stadium, even when the hosts threatened to stage a late comeback. Seconds before Antonio Valencia clinched the three points in stoppage time, there was a flare-up in the United box sparked by Boro scorer Rudy Gestede.

Tensions were still running high after the final whistle but Jones accepts why the Teessiders' frustration was the root of the problem and was just glad to leave the North East with the spoils.

"There is strength in depth in the squad and it showed," he said. "It's good to go into the international break with a win and we are up to fifth [in the table] now.

"It shows the fight in the squad, not literally, but it shows we are prepared to fight for each other. You can't buy that. It is in everyone. It rubs off on us from the manager.

"It is all about a willingness to win and fight for each other. Whatever formation we play or the tactics we play, ultimately it is about the fight in every player and we are showing that at the moment. You can see, this season, we have had times when we've had to dig deep; there is a lot of fight in that dressing room and it is positive."

He added: "I think there was a bit of frustration creeping in on their behalf. It is a difficult situation - I was in it with Blackburn - so I know how they feel. When emotions are high, these things happen but it was something and nothing."